420 FAUNA HAWAIIENSIS 



Propalticus Sharp. 



Propalticus Sharp, Tr. Ent. Soc. London 1879, pp. 88, 89. 



A description of the generic characters, taken from P. oculatus, is given here, as the 

 original description was not quite complete, and was incorrect as to the form of the 

 antennae and the number of tarsal joints. 



The antennae (Plate XVI. fig. 13) when mounted in balsam and examined under a 

 high power are seen to be very remarkable. They are 15-jointed (or 14-jointed, if the 

 terminal part of the club is regarded as only one joint). Basal joint very short : joints 

 2 and 3 large, each about twice as long as broad : joints 4 — 9 very slender, subequal, 

 the proximal one the longest. Joint 10 is large, broad, dark-coloured: 11 is light- 

 coloured, slender but with a broad base, the slender part arising right at one side of the 

 distal surface of joint 10. Joint 12 is a large dark joint of the same nature as 10, and 

 13 is a slender light joint repeating the characters of 1 1. Joint 14 is a dark broad piece 

 much like 10 or 12 : 15 is also dark, rounded apically, and curiously excavated on one 

 side, so as to present a very singular form : line of division between 14 and 15 not so 

 well-marked as that between other joints of the antenna. 



Eyes large, not very prominent, encroaching greatly on the upper surface of the 

 head. No transverse suture marking off the epistome from the frons and vertex. 

 Labrum large, distinct, transverse, rounded in front, leaving the points of the mandibles 

 exposed. Mandibles with a large basal portion, and a rather slender apical portion ; 

 the latter is trifid at the extremity, two points being visible from above, a third from 

 below. Maxillae with a rather large, pubescent outer lobe, and an extremely slender 

 inner lobe : palpi stout, 3-jointed ; apical joint not at all dilated, about three times as 

 long as broad ; middle joint about as long as broad ; basal joint rather stouter. The 

 labium, mounted in balsam, shows the following characters. The mentum is a transverse 

 piece : the ligula is a single piece, but with indications of a median division anteriorly ; 

 its front margin is entire, nearly straight. Labial palps 3-jointed ; basal joint minute, 

 nearly as broad as long ; second and third joints much stouter, the second considerably 

 longer than broad, the third more than twice as long as broad and tapering distally, but 

 with actual apex blunt. Prosternum large ; coxae placed at its hind part, very widely 

 separated, small, with an extension in the anterior and outward direction, their cavities 

 not closed behind. Mesosternum broad and transverse : middle coxae globose, widely 

 separated. Hind coxae transverse, very widely separated. Ventral segments five, the 

 basal one as long in the middle as the two following. Elytra covering the body. 

 Epipleurae almost flat, sloping somewhat. 



Dr Sharp (oja. cit. p. 90), though doubtful, considered that the tarsi were probably 

 4-jointed. Canada Balsam preparations show, however, that they are undoubtedly 

 5-jointed. They are filiform, the first four joints short and subequal in length, the 

 terminal joint nearly as long as the other four together. Legs slender ; front tibiae 



